Titus introduction
Titus 1:1-4
Paul draws attention to concepts that will be important in the letter: e.g. one's identity as a servant of God
#Paul
#discipleship
#authority
Published October 9th, 2022
Ph 1:1-4
Notes
Ph 1:1-4
NT
Titus 1:1-4
esv
Paul - a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ
Paul,
a servant
Explanation #1
of God
Possessive
and an apostle
Explanation #2
of Jesus Christ,
for the sake of the faith
Advantage #1
of God’s elect
Objective
and their knowledge
Advantage #2
of the truth,
which accords with godliness,
in hope
Manner
of eternal life,
which God, ... promised
who never lies,
before the ages began
Temporal
and ... manifested
at the proper time
in his word
Means
through the preaching
with which
Accompaniment
I have been entrusted
by the command
of God our Savior;
Possesive
Titus - my true child in a common faith
To Titus,
my true child
Explanation
in a common faith:
Context
Grace and peace to you
Grace and peace
from God the Father
Source
and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Paul draws attention to God as their savior.
His service is to bring the elect to faith, to an understanding of the gospel, and to godly living. (Mounce)
Paul is the authoritative proclaimer of the gospel message, entrusted by the command of God.
A believing response to the message of the gospel includes not only a full understanding of the content of the gospel but also godly behaviour, a life fully consecrated to God. (Mounce)
The salutation shows a high view of Christ as Paul pairs him with God in typical fashion. Paul is a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ (v 1). Both God and Christ act as savior (vv 3–4), and both together grant grace and peace (v 4b). (Mounce)
Slavery was widespread in the ancient world, and slaves were property with no freedom or rights. Why then do Paul and others use the term so frequently in a positive sense? Part of the answer may lie in Paul’s understanding of the power of sin. All people are in slavery to sin (cf. Rom 6:16; Gal 4:3, 8–9; Titus 3:3; cf. John 8:34) without choice. But once redeemed, they joyously become slaves of God (Rom 6:15–18, 20–23; 8:15; 1 Cor 7:22; Gal 4:4–5; cf. John 15:15) and are employed in his service (cf. K. H. Rengstorf, TDNT 2:273–77). ... Twice Paul says that Christians should behave as “slaves of Christ” (1 Cor 7:22; Eph 6:6), Also 1 Peter 2:16. (Mounce)
Hidden away in this verse is the trilogy of faith , the intellectual understanding of the faith (“knowledge of the truth”), and the proper behavior that must come forth from faith (“godliness”). All three members of the trilogy are necessary elements in Christianity and constitute the goal of Paul’s apostleship. (Mounce)
God's elect were central to Paul's ministry. See also 2 Tim 2:10
phrasing
Notes
A letter's opening will often point to the author's priorities. Consider: Why does Paul identify as (1) a servant (slave) of God, and (2) an apostle of Christ Jesus? What is the purpose of Paul's apostleship? What motivated Paul, what gave him hope? Paul draws attention to the authority given to him by God, who he calls his saviour.
notes
Comments
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.